For those who love hitting your native spin class however do not need to go away the consolation of house, the Speediance VeloNix brings the spin class to you — for a worth.
I am not a lot of a “cardio girlie” because it have been. You may get me within the gymnasium to power prepare all day on daily basis — that is by no means been a problem. Nonetheless, getting me on a treadmill or elliptical — or, God forbid the stairmaster — is nigh inconceivable.
The one factor that I do like, although, is biking. In 2023, I examined out the Journey 1UP Roadster and I have been hooked since. In actual fact, I biked greater than 1200 miles in 2024 alone.
The draw back? I stay within the Nice Lakes area, which means that my biking season is upsettingly quick. Between days that routinely fall effectively beneath freezing and a propensity for excessive blizzards, it is not unlikely for bike season to finish in November and never choose again up till April or Might.
And, double-unfortunately, my bike can also be my sole technique of transportation, past taking journey shares. This implies not solely do I not get to bike, however I additionally do not get to move to the gymnasium as a lot as I might like.
So, inevitably, I inform myself that I am going to work out a house exercise routine, by no means do it, after which complain about how I by no means work out. Spring reveals up and I shake the mud from my bones and I promptly remorse not doing exercises.
When Speediance reached out to me to supply up the VeloNix for assessment, I used to be intrigued. Nonetheless, traditionally I have never been so nice with stationary bikes as a result of I typically get bored.
However, seeing because it would not appear to be bike season goes to occur anytime quickly, I made a decision to check out it.
In any case, who is aware of, perhaps the VeloNix will change my thoughts on stationary bikes.
Assembling the VeloNix
Once I heard that some meeting was required, I wasn’t positive what to anticipate. When it confirmed up at my home, I used to be type of dreading placing it collectively.
The field weighs lots — someplace north of 100 kilos. Whereas the load wasn’t too large of a deal for me, the dimensions of the field was.
After a major wrestle to get it inside my home, I noticed that there was no approach I used to be going to have the ability to set it up downstairs.
No, I used to be going to should take it upstairs.
In case you have been questioning what a cross-section of the bike field appears to be like like. It is effectively packed! – Speediance VeloNix
That is the place I deviated from the meeting plans. I knew that they needed me to assemble the underside of the bike whereas it was nonetheless within the field, after which flip the field 180 levels.
If I had two individuals, or if I had deliberate on assembling it downstairs, that might have been nice. However as an alternative, I wanted to take the physique of the VeloNix out, carry it upstairs, after which deliver the opposite bins up after.
Whereas it wasn’t straightforward getting it upstairs, I would not say it was significantly arduous. Once more, I’m vertically challenged, you might not have these points.
And whereas I used to be initially dreading assembling the VeloNix, it was fairly straightforward. I used to be shocked — it solely took me about half-hour.
The directions have been clear, all of the instruments have been included, and it felt very strong as soon as I used to be completed.
Speediance VeloNix stationary bike design
So far as appears to be like go, the VeloNix actually dominates a room. It is not an unattractive bike, however it’s a very giant bike.
Evidently, I am fairly completely happy that I’ve a devoted room in my home for health gear. For those who’ve acquired a small house or a cramped home, that is most likely not going to give you the results you want.
However, should you’ve acquired a roughly 10 sq. foot (0.85 sq. meters) nook of your storage, basement, or house workplace that may match, you possibly can match the bike. The measurements, by the best way, are about 63-inches by 24-inches by 63-inches.
For those who’ve acquired children or pets, it is good to know that the motor is solely enclosed. Which means no worrying about pinched fingers, paws, or tails.
The bike places you in a sport using place, or one thing you’d see in a spin class. If we’re being trustworthy, that is not my favourite place to be put in by default.
I’ve a lingering problem with my decrease again. Whereas I’ve put within the work to coach up my hamstrings to assist compensate, I do not love being at an angle for lengthy durations.
I can get round this by pulling the seat as far ahead as it can go, dropping the seat down, and ensuring the handlebars are excessive sufficient. It is not an ideal answer, although.
The bottle cage is a pleasant contact. You’d suppose for $2600 they’d embody a bottle – Speediance VeloNix
If you do not have a foul again — effectively, aren’t you fortunate. You will most likely just do high quality right here.
Additionally, I might say that I am about two or three inches too quick to comfortably use this bike for prolonged durations.
For reference, I stand tall at 5’2 (157cm). You will most likely have higher luck should you’re 5’5 (165cm). I will even level out that this drawback is not distinctive to this bike, both.
I wrestle with fairly just a few designs of spin bikes and stationary bikes — I simply needed to stop anybody from making a pricey buy in the event that they’re in the identical boat.
My accomplice, as an illustration, is 6’3 (190cm) and located the bike comfy as soon as some minor changes have been made to the seat and handlebar top. For those who’re a tall rider, don’t be concerned, Speediance says the VeloNix can accommodate riders of as much as 7’3 (220cm).
However what concerning the display screen?
The true purpose you’d need this bike is due to the display screen and all of the options that include it. And let’s be clear, it is a strong display screen.
It is a 21.5-inch display screen with a 1920 by 1080 decision. The arm it is connected to can swivel and tilt simply, which is nice for adjusting simply for a number of customers or totally different using positions.
For those who’re like me, you must be visually stimulated to do something you do not need to. That is why a motorbike with a display screen on it’s a fairly good various to an out of doors journey.
It is not as nice as an precise out of doors journey, nevertheless it’s lots higher than observing a wall.
Speediance VeloNix stationary bike – establishing the software program facet
As a result of it is a bike with a pc connected to it, you are going to have to set it up to make use of it. Once I first acquired the bike, this was hardly a simple process.
There was a persistent language bug that required me to drag out my telephone and do a visible translation to determine what was occurring. It took me about 20 minutes of futzing round, however I ultimately acquired it arrange.
The language bug should still persist, be sure you replace the firmware – Speediance VeloNix
Thankfully, Speediance has already resolved the bug, so now setup is far simpler. Nonetheless, in case your VeloNix ships with an older model of the firmware, you are going to need to replace as quickly as you possibly can, in any other case it will be caught in a bizarre half-step between your native language and Chinese language.
Basically, you energy on the bike, activate the display screen and observe the on-screen setup. It is simply as straightforward as establishing another pill, now.
My solely different word concerning the setup is how unusual I discovered the interface.
I believed it odd that the interface is clearly designed to imitate an iPad, nevertheless it’s operating an Android working system. I wasn’t fairly positive what to make of it.
Speediance VeloNix stationary bike efficiency
Sadly, as soon as once more, I’ve been pressured to buy a motorbike seat to make use of a motorbike. This has occurred just about each time I’ve acquired a motorbike to check.
By default the VeloNix comes with a “efficiency saddle” that feels prefer it’s designed for males. And it is form that you simply’d need to use for sport biking. I’m not a person, and I do not do sport biking.
So, meaning I swapped it for a wider, extra cushioned seat. I wasn’t getting saddle sore for this assessment — I might reasonably give it an opportunity.
This can be a very small, very arduous seat – Speediance VeloNix
As soon as the seat was swapped, I knew I wasn’t going to get saddle-sore.
When it got here to using, barring the size problem, I discovered it to be a strong journey. The 2300W brushless motor lets you dial within the resistance to your excellent stage.
In actual fact, it’s a little insane how granular you will get with the resistance on right here.
You possibly can sync it with Apple Health and your Apple Watch to log your knowledge and monitor your coronary heart charge. You possibly can sync it with most health trackers. I used to be in a position to sync it with my Energy Beats Professional so as to monitor my coronary heart charge whereas using.
Speediance supplies guides on how you can join particular well being trackers to the Velonix — however you possibly can join extra than simply these
It additionally integrates with a handful of third-party apps. This contains Zwift, the insanely in style biking app that allows you to compete in opposition to different Zwifters.
VeloNix Courses, digital environments, and streaming
The purpose of a $2600 bike is not a lot the bike, it is the posh options you get with the acquisition of the bike.
There are intense spin lessons you can tackle. There are leaderboards for digital programs you are able to do.
I believed it was nice that they added a bunch of digital real-world environments you possibly can bike. There are a bunch of them, and so they have acceptable resistance ranges mapped to the elevation positive aspects — that is actually enjoyable.
One of many biggest issues concerning the display screen is that you simply needn’t use it to take spin lessons or bike digital scenic routes. In fact, you are able to do these issues, and should you’re occupied with them, it is good that they are included.
However let’s be actual — it streams content material from main streaming companies. That is why I prefer it.
Watching YouTube when you journey is good, however there are cheaper methods to do it – Speediance VeloNix Good Train Bike
You possibly can stream from YouTube, HBO, Prime Video, Hulu, and Disney+. And, when you’re streaming, you continue to get entry to your metrics, proper on the backside of your display screen.
That is, by far, my favourite characteristic. Possibly it speaks to my dopamine dependancy, however there’s one thing good about throwing on my favourite YouTube movies and simply zoning out.
Working with Apple-specific gear
Syncing with Apple Well being is fairly straightforward. You will simply have to obtain the Speediance app and log in. As soon as logged in, it can ask you to allow it to learn knowledge from Apple Well being.
The VeloNix Good Train Bike can learn Apple Well being knowledge by way of the Speediance app
Because it stands proper now, the VeloNix bike would not help GymKit. The builders could select so as to add this characteristic sooner or later, however I needed to say that it would not exist at present.
The one characteristic I might have liked to see added to the VeloNix is AirPlay. It would not have it in the meanwhile, so you possibly can’t stream Apple Health+ on to the bike. That alone would have made this bike a reasonably straightforward suggestion for at-home gymnasium lovers.
Speediance VeloNix stationary bike – the subscription problem
If I have been simply utilizing an in-home gymnasium setup with nothing else, I would not be fast to gripe about subscription charges with this bike.
Nonetheless, the price of my Planet Health membership is roughly $32 a month when you issue within the annual membership charges.
And by going there, I can get entry to stationary bikes and an entire host of different cardio and power coaching gear. And I can get all of the hydro-massages and Complete Physique Enhancement remedies I need.
And, the VeloNix would not exchange my gymnasium membership. I am unable to do leg presses, I am unable to row on it, and it actually is not going to therapeutic massage my calves after I’m going too arduous on the calf extension machine.
That being stated, I am not inherently in opposition to health gear with subscriptions. In any case, you might be paying for trainer-led lessons and a bunch of different options that ought to price more money.
I feel Speediance has priced its premium options fairly effectively. At $15 a month, I really feel like I might get my cash’s value with regards to options. Any larger and I might begin to be hesitant over recommending it to anybody with a busy schedule who could not get to work out just a few instances every week.
Speediance VeloNix stationary bike versus precise biking
You understand how while you speak to an out of doors runner they always complain about any time they should use a treadmill as an alternative of operating outdoors? It is the identical for cyclists, even hobbyists like myself.
If given the choice between biking outdoors and indoor stationary biking, I am virtually all the time going to default to biking outdoors. I just like the contemporary air, and the truth that I can do it with associates — generally I get to see a cute canine or a bizarre chook.
These are all positives that do not have an equal on a stationary bike. Sadly, as a result of I stay within the land of the Ever Winter, I do not get twelve months of biking climate.
Generally I am fortunate if I get eight.
Throughout biking season I are likely to hop on my bike anyplace between 4 to seven days every week. For instance, for the sake of simplicity, the common is 5 days every week.
My present go-to journey is the Ride1Up Roadster V2 Gravel version
Each time I’m going out biking, I attempt to get someplace between one and three hours in. It is city biking, so it is undoubtedly not intense biking, however I feel it is respectable.
For instance I get 1.5 hours a day in. So, per week, I am getting 7.5 hours of average cardio train.
Unfold throughout 4 weeks, that is 30 hours monthly. Not too shabby for somebody who works a desk job and lists “studying Wikipedia” as a pastime.
By that logic, meaning I am lacking out on 120 hours of cardio train within the winter. I am almost 40, that actually looks as if a foul thought.
Positive, I can use my standing desk extra. I can take frequent walks round my home throughout breaks.
I may even pay for Apple Fitness+ and do a HIIT exercise proper from the consolation of my iPad. However, should you keep in mind what I stated on the high of the article right here, I hate HIIT. I hate aerobics. I don’t need to do pilates.
So, if it was between using a stationary bike or not using in any respect, the choice is straightforward and rapid: I would favor the stationary bike.
For those who’re a kind of individuals who loves spin lessons however would not essentially want an in-classroom setting, that is, kind of, the identical factor.
Lets talk about price vs worth
The VeloNix will not be an inexpensive bike. In actual fact, it is about $54 costlier than Peloton’s Bike+, which is clearly the fashion of train bike that is attempting to be.
At just below $2600, I might take into account this a serious buy for most individuals, and I will issue that into my general ranking.
For those who do not care about screens or on-board lessons, or should you’re more likely to give up utilizing it early on, I might straight up keep away from shopping for it. In any case, this factor is about seven years value of a Planet Health membership — and a minimum of you possibly can cancel an unused membership.
For those who simply need a bike with a display screen that lets you watch video, you possibly can simply get an iPad holder for a less expensive stationary bike.
But, should you’re somebody who loves spin lessons or is trying to complement an already strong health routine, the VeloNix is an effective bike.
For those who’ve acquired a number of individuals in your family who would normally use an train bike, it is actually going to be cheaper in the long term than paying for a number of gymnasium memberships.
What I am saying is, it is a good bike for the appropriate viewers. Sadly, I am not solely positive how large that viewers is.
If it have been me, I might not be buying the VeloNix. I desire using outside.
Nonetheless, Speediance makes not one however two house gyms that I might strongly take into account shopping for if I had the expendable earnings. However, once more, I like power coaching.
Finally, the selection is as much as you, because it are most issues. I am simply right here to let you understand if it does what it says on the field.
Speediance VeloNix professionals
- Capacity to set precise resistance ranges
- Entry to lessons, digital rides, and coaching applications
- Suitable with Apple Heath and Apple Watch
- Has in-built streaming service help for HBO, Hulu, Disney+, and extra
- Display screen is spacious and simple to navigate round
Speediance VeloNix cons
- Very costly
- Won’t work for brief riders
- Takes up 10 sq. toes
- Weighs greater than 100lbs
Ranking: 3 out of 5 stars
Be aware: A star system, whereas handy to have a look at, would not all the time convey the nuances of a assessment. A 3-star ranking assumes that you simply fall within the goal demographic. We extremely counsel that you simply do your personal analysis earlier than making such a major buy.
The place to purchase:
Presently, the Speediance VeloNix is offered out on the Speediance website, nevertheless it usually retails for $2549 with free delivery. Speediance recommends that you simply join electronic mail updates to know when the subsequent batch can be found for order.
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